I love the vibrant First Nations culture in British Columbia and right here at home.

“For thousands of years indigenous people occupied the shoreline of eastern Vancouver Island in a place referred to as, “the land of plenty”. This Land of Plenty stretched from what is known today as Kelsey Bay south to Hornby and Denman Island and included the watershed and estuary of the Puntledge River. The people called K’ómoks today referred to themselves as Sathloot, Sasitla, Ieeksun, Puntledge, Cha’chae, and Tat’poos. They occupied sites in Kelsey Bay, Quinsum, Campbell River, Quadra Island, Kye Bay, and along the Puntledge estuary. As a cultural collective they called themselves, “Sathloot”, according to the late Mary Clifton.

Oral history and archaeology describe a rich and bountiful relationship between the K’ómoks and Land of Plenty. Salmon, seal, octopus, herring, cod, deer, ducks, shellfish and a plethora of berries filled the tummies of the young and old alike. The technologies that were applied in harvest, preparation and cultivation of local resources were appropriate to the environment, resource and spiritual beliefs. Fish weirs, duck nets, berry picking techniques and clothing design met the needs of the K’ómoks and for generations provided variety, utility and sense of cultural uniqueness. Mask dances and rhythmic songs filled the winter nights and season. Property was distributed to guests in potlatches and elaborate naming ceremonies honoured the youth, leaders and elders of the communities.”